AFL premiers Geelong have recruited Blake Caracella from Collingwood to join their coaching staff.

Caracella, a premiership player with both Essendon and Brisbane who also played with Collingwood, has spent the past three seasons as a Magpies assistant coach.

The Cats said it helped that he had connections with Geelong's coaching group.

Cats coach Mark Thompson was an assistant coach at Essendon while Caracella played there and he and Geelong assistant Nigel Lappin were premiership teammates with the Lions.

"We're thrilled to add Blake to our coaching staff," Geelong football manager Neil Balme said.

"Blake has shown himself to be an innovative and progressive thinker and we feel he will work well with our group of players and coaches."

Caracella's appointment follows the departure of Cats assistant Ken Hinkley to join the Gold Coast.

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